FanSpeak 2/2/03

It pays to win

I'M CURIOUS to know if, in the Super Bowl, both the winners and the losers get a Super Bowl ring. Second, how much are the members of the losing and winning teams paid?

Each player on the winning team receives about $60,000, while players on the losing team get about $35,000 apiece. The players and staff of the winning team receive championship rings (worth $5,000 apiece), but members of the losing team also receive keepsake jewelry that costs about half the price of a championship ring. Costs are paid by the NFL.

Revenge of hillbillies

I ASSUME the "Beverly Hillbillies"remark made on a Cape Girardeau radio station wasn't intended to be heard outside of Cape, but word does travel. Watch what you say about teams like Doniphan. Your belittling of our boys basketball team may come back to haunt you, and I assure you every athlete at our school will be reminded of your sentiments in time for their next athletic event against Central.

Disappointing coverage

IT'S DISAPPOINTING when a Jackson and Notre Dame regular-season game gets two pictures in the paper, while the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament final that was played in Scott City didn't get one picture or even a decent write-up.

Next up:Macarena

YOU WERE right. I can't get the song "Delirious" out of my head after reading that interview with the wrestler. I'm just glad the guy's name wasn't "Macarena."

This is Division II talent

I KEEP reading about Josh Gonner. You keep saying he is a rated above Southeast's talent level. Didn't Gary Garner say when he got here that you can just win, win and win here with this facility? He was going to go out and get better players. This is Division I basketball, right? If this guy is a level above what we been getting, then what has coach Garner been bringing in here, Division II players? Maybe that's been his problem the last couple of years.

Jealous of Delta

TO THE person who lacks respect to the Delta girls basketball team: True, they may not be as good as the media picks them. They don't play the high-profile teams in the area, but they do play a tough schedule. They belong in the top 10. People from larger schools get jealous just because a smaller school is having success.

Sad state in St. Louis

FINALLY, PEOPLE are starting to realize it really is going to take a miracle for the Rams to get to the Super Bowl. Typical St. Louis sports venue, though. Why are these guys so scared to go out and get some superstars? The Rams blew their last chance in a long time in the Super Bowl last year. For the Blues, it's hopeless. Why they can't get a top goalie is beyond me. Then there's the Cardinals. A new stadium? Why? We can't even get a pitcher.

Thanks for the story

I'D LIKE to thank Jeff Breer for a great story about Jackson wrestling's dramatic win over Farmington. This was a really exciting event.

He's no Doink

THE INTERVIEW with Delirious was so cool, but he's got a long way to go before he's better than Doink the Clown. I wish my momma would let me watch horror movies.

Something went wrong

SOUTHEAST STARTED in the right direction with Title IX when they made the move to Division I. They recognize the inequities in the women's programs. Great strides were made in funding women's scholarships and budget. The Southeast women's program responded by this by being at the top of the OVC. What happened to the continued support over the past four years? The women's programs have declined. They're no longer at the top of the OVC, and then they want to drop gymnastics and reduce opportunities. Why is the present administration letting women's programs decline?

Good job,Kelly

I CONGRATULATE the Kelly girls basketball team on a job well done in the conference championship game against Delta. Their defense was as good as a team could play. You really had Delta out of synch.

Got shoes?

I CAN'T believe KGIR would tolerate the comments made by its play-by-play announcer in a recent Central basketball game. In a postgame interview with Central's coach, the announcer referred to going to Doniphan to play the "Beverly Hillbillies" in the team's next game. I am outraged. As somebody who grew up in the Doniphan area, I can assure you we are not barefoot and uneducated. I can't say the same for Cape Girardeau's broadcast media.

Thanks for wrestling

THANK YOU for covering wrestling in Southeast Missouri. It's not a high-profile sport like football and basketball, but it is important for many of us.

Don't fret for Delta

TO THE poor soul worried about the girls basketball media poll: Get a life. Anyone who has a knowledge of the game knows polls mean nothing. It can be damaging because a team can lose its edge and become complacent. I would rank the complainer No. 1 for whining and No. 1 in cheap shots. You also managed to bad-mouth our program along with the 16 other schools on our schedule.

Who votes?

WHICH MEDIA outlets are responsible for selecting the boys and girls SEMO Top 10 basketball polls?

There are about 20 sports writers and broadcasters from throughout Southeast Missouri who regularly participate.

Reward true talent

TEAMS AND players should get recognition for playing outstanding competition. It appears teams with good records get them against bad competition, and players that score a lot of points against bad competition receive inappropriate positive press. The outstanding, complete players often are overlooked.